Fast Food is Bad For You!
We live in a microwave generation where we want everything instantaneously. Unfortunately, that is the antithesis of what our Christian walk requires of us. In a recent sermon series titled Fast Food, Pastor Mike Signorelli taught about the dangers of ingesting the culture around us.
Set Your Sights On The Things Of Heaven
It’s easy to set your sights on the things of this world but we are to focus on the realities (plural) of Heaven. Humans take in what they see and let’s face it the things we see nowadays do not leave much room for encouragement. It is why Scripture instructs us to keep our focus on things above and not of this world.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” - Colossians 3:1-3
If we set our spiritual eyes to behold the things of heaven, where Christ sits at a place of honor at God’s right hand, then we could remain encouraged. In Colossians 3 the Apostle Paul is sending instructions to a church that needed guidance on not getting consumed by the ungodly world around them. It is advice that still stands today for any believer trying to walk the walk.
We are challenged to think about the things of heaven even if we are tempted to focus on the things of the earth. Philippians 4:8 shares a similar encouragement.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
If our heads are buried in our phones and we are scrolling through social media or the news then chances are we’d be anxiety-ridden and not focused on what scripture says at all. Christians are called to seek things that are above and are promised to appear with Christ in Glory.
Christ is Your Real Life
The identity crisis has continued to run rampant in this day and age and that is because everyone is looking for quick relief, and pursuing get-rich-quick schemes to get ahead, but the Bible says one's life is in Christ! Believers have died to this life and our real life is hidden in the savior of the world. Spending time seeking worldly accomplishments – Degrees, status, and men’s approval can only get people so far. Our real identity is found in scripture and in our time of worship with Jesus.
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4
We share in Christ's glory. Our legacy is His glory!
Sin Taste Good But Will Kill You
We can not experience a resurrection in the areas we’ve never put through the crucifixion. Pastor Mike warns that God doesn't bless the things we have not put to death. Colossians 3 is clear that if we want this glory in Christ then we have to be willing to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:5-10
Pastor Mike says he thought he was a good person all of his early life. Later in his 20s he said he “realized how depraved” he was. The gospel is one of humility because once a believer understands themselves, they realize they are no better than anyone else who is capable of doing heinous things.
What is the Gospel?
Pastor Mike teaches that the gospel is knowing “you are more depraved and wicked and evil than you can ever conceive, not one of us is good and we have no power to be good. For all have sinned and fallen short. But the other side is that we are more loved and accepted through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ than we can ever conceive.”
Once Christ's followers acknowledge that they are depraved and they say yes to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit begins to do the transformation. The Holy Spirit convicts and empowers everyone in Christ to live out Colossians 3. Christians are to put on a new nature in Christ but if they do not it becomes a stench.
Narrow is the path that leads to life, according to scripture and on it, the believer learns the sacred way of suffering. The flesh and demons entice, but the Holy Spirit invites therefore it is important to be led by God and not your desires.
We are called to be holy people that God loves. We are to be holy as He is holy. Holy means separated and to be set apart.
Fast food tastes so good but it’s damaging. “The lines to the drive-through will always be longer than the line to the kitchen,” Pastor Mike maintains.
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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